Zhang captures title to earn main tour place

Global Snooker

While the World Championship is rightly taking centre-stage at the moment in the eyes of most snooker fans, a quick word on Anda Zhang who last week won the 2009 Asian Under-21 Championship and earned a place on the main tour for next season as a result…

Information is fairly limited but you can read more about what appears to have been a dominant performance from the young Chinese player here at Global Snooker and the Sakaal Times.

As I say, this result means that he will now graduate to the 96 man professional circuit, following in the footsteps of countryman Li Hang who of course had an excellent 2008/9 season having won this title in 2008.

Zhang does have some recent experience of the main tour as a result of being a local wildcard in the Shanghai Masters earlier this season, but it was not to be too enjoyable for him as he was whitewashed 5-0 by eventual champion Ricky Walden. He was also involved in the 2008 China Open where he lost out 5-1 to Barry Pinches.

Congratulations to him for the title and good luck to him next season as he will look to keep his place on the tour, a task that is far from easy for a tour debutant.